Our friends in Poland will not be celebrating the holiday this week since it is all about the Pilgrims and Plymouth Rock. However, if you would like to give your celebration a little Polish flair, there are a few suggestions for you HERE. In that spirit of thanks and caring we are asking your help. PolishYoungstown has been asked by an American soldier to help create a Christmas celebration for the Polish soldiers she works with in Kabul, Afghanistan. We are calling it Adopt a Polish Soldier and we can’t do it without you. We hope you will consider contributing to the effort. You can learn more about it here.

There are few spots left for our own Christmas celebrations next weekend with the Mazowsze Polish Folk Song and Dance Ensemble on Sunday, December 5th. This professional group of ballerinas and singers will share their skills with participants from throughout the nation from 12-5 PM. That evening, the 18-piece orchestra and 20-piece choral will be performing as the entertainment at the Polish Arts Club of Youngstown Annual Wigilia Dinner at The Youngstown Club. Listen to a sample here. This event is open to the public. Tickets are $35 pp for adults and $15 pp for child.Reservation forms are availablehere.Thenon Monday, December 6th 2010 the entire troupe will be performing at the State Theatre in Cleveland. Mezzanine seats are reserved in a PolishYoungstown bloc. For $32 and $42 pp, these special seats include a Cast Party with the Mazowsze after the show. It is an incredible way to celebrate the holidays, but it won’t be the only thing we are doing!Join on Wednesday, December 1st from 5:00 - 8:30 as we decorate our Christmas tree as part of the community trees inside the Davis Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Of course, the tree has a Polish theme of red and white lights and handmade paper ornaments by members of the Polish Arts Club. We still need some extension cords, a small ladder or stepstools and some extra light sets to properly cover this big 6 ft. tree so come one by and help out. The tree will be on display throughout the month of December and showcased on December 12th as part of the annual "Gardens by Candlelight" event.

Our patriotic PHH at Vintage Estates this month (thanks to our coordinator Ivan Vincinzini and welcoming hosts Phil & Sandy Reda!) will be followed up by awarm, friendly Polish Happy Hour event at the family owned Struthers’s RipsCafé on Dec. 9th and the Krakowiaki become kolendnicy when they invite you to join them for a round of Christmas caroling on Dec. 17th. More information on these events coming soon. We hope you will make time to toast the season with us at least once.

Don’t forget to patronize the Polish businesses when your Christmas shoppingand if you want a little help preparing your Wigilia table, our friends at S&D Polish Deli in Pittsburgh are there for you! Dorota and her family have put together a shopping list of essentials. All you have to do is pick your favorites, submit your order and have it ready for you to pick up the week of Christmas.The shopping list is herefor you to get started.

Around Poland: Have you heard about theGiant Jesus statue completedin the western Polish plains in Swiebodzin? Creators claim that the gigantic statue is now the world's largest and provides competition to Rio de Janiero's iconic Christ the Redeemer. The white statue with outstretched arms and golden crown was the grand dream of local priest Rev. Sylwester Zawadzki who says the statue rises 108 feet, or 33 meters - one meter for every year that Jesus lived.

Coming up: Sat., November 27th Annual Turkey Trot hosted by the Cleveland Polka Association featuring The Polka Family Band…Sun, November 28th Horn Quartet Concert including Polish Christmas carols at the Opera Circle in Cleveland…PM Pierogi Wednesdays resume in December on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-8 PM at St. Stanislaus. Much help is needed to get ahead for the Christmas season!

Do Zobaczenia!Your PolishYoungstown Team

Take a look, click on the link below or copy and paste it in your browser's address bar: